Waimate Thunder and Light Show Labour Weekend 2011

[Big D]

And finally:

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Big D

Gidday all,

Attached are some pictures of the recent HQ 44 South Thunder and Light Show at Waimate in Labour Weekend 2011.

There's a story behind this pic. The owner of the Jeep (Brent of Invercargill)met an old veteran at last year's show. The man, Mr Don Johns lived locally in Waimate, and had an album of pics from the war. It just happened that one of the man's pics had been reproduced before in a publication and was well known within NZ. Using that pic and others from his album, Brent furtively arranged to reproduce the Jeep's markings and surprise Don at this year's show.

Pictured below is Gunner Johns, 21, 6 Fd Regt in Italy in 1943 with his Jeep "Miss New Zealand", and Mr Johns, 89 seeing it again in 2011. The other pic is Brent and Don recreating yet another pose from the 1943 album. Mr Johns got a bit sentimental over the effort to remember his contribution to unique Commonwealth vehicle markings, but hey!

The Thunder and Light Show had a bit of a Gunner's Reunion theme to it, and also played host to a Gunner from 16th Fd Regt, RNZA, who was a 1950 veteran of Korea, and a Gunner from 161 Bty, who was a Vietnam Vet from 1968-70.

[cliff]

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

There's a story behind this pic.

Tony glad to see you back my friend

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Nice story on the Miss NZ Jeep, sort of thing that makes it so worthwhile.
Great to have you back Tony.
Rich.

[D Ellery]

Great photo's thanks Darryl

[Big D]

Tony - yeah, I would say it has got a bit to do with that. Judging by that photo I'd say that a certain chap standing in front of you has just told you what he has been scheming with those two police officers and you are having a darned good laugh about it!

Hey - did that delivery arrive to you in time?

Cheers

Darryl

[Big D]

David,

Are you going to the Armistice Day event in Cambridge? I understand at least a couple of the guys from down here are going.

Cheers
Darryl

[Ken Hughes]

Yes Darryl,I would have liked to be there,sad i missed it but, you know, i havnt the money at the moment to finish the truck or to be an active member(dam) owing to her indoors loosing her job and hasnt been able to find work because she is too OLD!!! (61 yrs)!!
So that has curtailed my wage and we are just making ends meet and no more.
Cant complain though as we must be better of than some other people,im sure.
We have the house on the market and would eventually like to buy a cheaper house and be mortgage free,so we will see what comes about.
Great photos,well done that man.